Hardship Grants

Hardship and emergency grants provide immediate financial relief during crises — job loss, medical emergencies, natural disasters, and other unexpected setbacks. Government programs, community foundations, and organizations like the Salvation Army and Modest Needs offer grants to help individuals and families stabilize during difficult times.

1,168 grants
Foundation
Updated daily
Bridge to Turkiye · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Empowerment Scholarships Overview: Need-based scholarship program dedicated to unlocking opportunities for underprivileged students in Türkiye. Supports high school and university students to help…

ORCAS POWER & LIGHT COOPERATIVE · April 30, 2026 · Annual Foundation

Energy Assist Program (EAP) Overview: OPALCO offers monthly energy assistance to its members when they are challenged to pay their electric bills. Energy Assist provides a bill credit every month…

NORTHWEST SIDE HOUSING CENTER · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Energy Assistance Program Status: Currently on hiatus; concluded with resumption scheduled for fall (as of event date August 2024). No specific date available. Overview: Direct vendor payment energy…

Up to $1,400 per household (average grant $500)
MAHUBE-OTWA COMMUNITY ACTION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Organization: MAHUBE-OTWA Community Action Geographic Scope: Minnesota (Mahnomen, Hubbard, Becker, Otter Tail, Wadena, and West Polk Counties) Focus Areas: Utility…

LAKE COUNTRY POWER · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Energy Assistance Program (EAP) Funder: Federally-funded program (state administration) Overview: The Energy Assistance Program is a federally-funded grant program that helps low-income households…

$500 - $575 per household
Norton Sound Economic · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Energy Subsidy Program Overview: NSEDC's Energy Subsidy Program provides direct financial assistance to households in member communities to offset energy and heating fuel costs. Eligibility: -…

NORTH CAROLINA HORSE COUNCIL · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Equine Safety Net Grant Program Purpose: Provide financial assistance to horse owners experiencing temporary financial setbacks. Geographic Scope: North Carolina Examples: - Provided 42 "safety nets"…

Up to $125
Illinois Spina Bifida Association · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Equipment Fund Geographic Scope: Illinois residents only Purpose: Assists families with out-of-pocket costs for orthotic or other mobility equipment Eligible Expenses: - Orthotic equipment - Mobility…

PETOSKEY-HARBOR SPRINGS AREA · Rolling / Open Foundation

Essential Needs Fund Overview: Established in 2016 as a permanent endowed fund to provide sustainable support for health and human service organizations serving individuals and families facing…

WATERTOWN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Essential Needs Grants Funder: Watertown Community Foundation Inc (MA, US) Geographic Scope: Watertown, MA Contact: - Phone: 617-926-1500 - Address: PO Box 334, Watertown, MA 02471 Website:…

Events To End Pediatric Tumors Inc · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

ETEPT Warrior Fund Program Purpose: Direct financial relief for brain tumor patients and their families facing immediate financial hardship. Geographic Scope: Not specified, but organization is based…

NORTH CAROLINA HORSE COUNCIL · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Euthanasia Support Grant Purpose: Provide financial assistance to horse owners for humane euthanasia services. Geographic Scope: North Carolina Examples of Funded Organizations: - NC Mobile…

Coastal Bend Community Foundation · Rolling / Open Foundation

Ewi Bobbi Sims Scholarship Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Coastal Bend Community Foundation Last Updated: January 15, 2026 Summary The Ewi Bobbi Sims Scholarship supports women in the Coastal Bend area…

US $1,000 - US $2,000
EASTERN WEST VIRGINIA COMMUNITY · Rolling / Open Foundation

EWVCF Human Welfare Grant Status: ACTIVE Funder: Eastern West Virginia Community Foundation Amount: US $1,000 - US $2,000 Last Updated: January 25, 2026 Summary The EWVCF Human Welfare Grant supports…

$35,000 annual goal
FALLS CHURCH EDUCATION FOUNDATION · Rolling / Open · Annual Foundation

Family Assistance Fund Purpose: Provide support for the neediest families in Falls Church City Public Schools Geographic Scope: Falls Church City Public Schools (FCCPS), Virginia Award Amount: Annual…

NORTHERN NEVADA CHILDREN'S · Rolling / Open · Rolling (Quarterly) Foundation

Family Assistance Fund Overview: The Family Assistance Fund provides direct financial assistance to families of children with cancer in northern Nevada to alleviate the financial and emotional burden…

JB'S KEYS TO DMD INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Family Assistance Program with Team Joseph Overview: Family assistance program providing financial and support services to families affected by Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Geographic Scope: Not…

MORTON PLANT MEASE HEALTH CARE · Rolling / Open Foundation

Family Care Fund Program Funder: Morton Plant Mease Health Care Foundation Geographic Scope: Serves employees of Morton Plant Mease Health Care hospitals (Florida area) Program Description:…

UMPS CARE CHARITIES INC · Rolling / Open Foundation

Family Care Program Overview: A UMPS CARE Charities program component supporting families in need. Status: Listed as an active program on the UMPS CARE website Background: Part of UMPS CARE…

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly can I get emergency grant funding?
Emergency assistance timelines vary. Government programs like TANF and LIHEAP may take 1-4 weeks. Organizations like the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities can sometimes provide same-week help. Modest Needs processes applications within 2-4 weeks. Employer emergency funds and GoFundMe-style platforms can be faster. Always apply to multiple sources simultaneously.
What types of emergencies qualify for hardship grants?
Common qualifying situations include job loss, medical emergencies, domestic violence, natural disasters, house fires, sudden disability, and death of a family breadwinner. Each program defines eligibility differently. FEMA covers declared disasters, while organizations like Modest Needs help with temporary financial crises that could become permanent without intervention.
Where should I start looking for emergency assistance?
Contact 211 (call or text) for your local area's emergency assistance programs. Your state's Department of Social Services handles TANF and emergency aid. Local community action agencies coordinate multiple assistance programs. Churches, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, and St. Vincent de Paul societies offer direct emergency help.

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